PERNEM
While some wonder if the project will move ahead with the same interest and pace by the new BJP-led coalition government, many farmers are now complaining that they are yet to be compensated for their land that was acquired for the project.
Parsekar had proposed the EMC at Tuem to provide job opportunities for the unemployed youth in his Mandrem constituency.
The government had reclaimed the land it had earlier leased to the villages, but aggrieved villagers insisted that they were not taken into confidence or compensated when their land was acquired by the government.
A four-lane road was constructed leading to the proposed EMC site and a 30-MLD water storage facility was also set up at Tuem to ensure regular water supply to the project.
The project never had the full approval of locals in the region and concerns had been raised at several gram sabhas.
In a bid to clarify their concerns, the government had even sent its project officer to Tuem to provide project details to the villagers.
During one such Gram Sabha, the officer had made a presentation to the people, but they were in no mood to accept anything, arguing that the government had snatched their land and had done injustice to them.
While farmers admit that the government had earlier handed over the land to them in Tuem, they insisted that they were leaseholders of the land and, therefore, had a right on that land.
Sanjay Raut said he along with local farmers has demanded compensation for the acquired land.
“Tuem residents sacrificed their land for various projects in Tuem, but we farmers were not taken into confidence when land was acquired for Tuem EMC nor were we compensated,” he added.
Added another farmer: “Before the 2012 assembly elections, Parsekar had assured to hand over land permanently to the leaseholders and all villagers had welcomed the decision. Instead, our land was snatched for the EMC at Tuem. Leaseholders have as much right as the government on the land.”
Clarifying that the farmers were not opposed to the project, the farmer added: “We are not happy with the government for snatching our land.”
Tuem Panch Uday Mandrekar said the government had acquired the land in a controversial manner.
“Over 500 trees were chopped down to build the road without taking the Mundkars into confidence. The new government should compensate the Mundkars of the land,” said Mandrekar.
